A penciled notation identified the year of this newspaper article, 1985.

SERVICES HELD FOR FLORENCE GRAU LEBBERT

Funeral services for Florence Lebbert were held at Bennington St. John’s Lutheran Church on Monday, December 30, at 10:00 a.m. Dr. Norman Schroeder officiated. Miriam Sukraw was organist and Joyce Johnson was vocalist. She sang “Amazing Grace” and “How Great Thou Art.’ Casket bearers were Robert Boettger, Dale Moll, Douglas Lebbert, Clarence Schakat, Roger Lebbert and Elmer Betts. Interment was in the Evergreen Cemetery of Omaha, Nebraska. The Hadan-Golden Mortuary of Bennington was in charge of arrangements.

Florence Grau Lebbert, daughter of Charles and Ella (Vahlcamp) Grau was born July 22, 1898 on a farm north of Bennington, Nebraska. She attended elementary schools in Douglas County. She graduated from Bennington High School and attended Peru State Teacher’s College. She was baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith and has been a long-time member of St. John’s Lutheran Church.

On March 27, 1918 she was united in marriage to Otto Lebbert. Three children were born to this union. Florence and Otto farmed west of town until 1948 when they moved to Bennington. She worked in the Post Office for many years.

Florence enjoyed and appreciated her family. She loved her community and her church. She was a member of the former Missionary Society and the L.C.W. She found pleasure in doing the work of her Lord while she could and never ceased giving a positive witness to her faith in Christ. She was an avid reader, a member of the Lucky Days Project Club, and the Bennington Federated Women’s Club.

She died peacefully in her sleep at the Good Shepherd Home in Blair on December 28 at the age of 86 years, 5 months and 6 days. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Otto, 1 brother, Ted Grau; and 1 sister, Irene Boettger.

Florence is survived by 1 daughter and son-in-law, Eleanor and Ellis Rhoads of Bennington; 2 sons and daughters-in-law, Howard and Harriet Lebbert and Wayne and Iola Lebbert of Omaha; 7 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; 1 brother, Fred Grau of College Park, Maryland; 2 sisters, Bess Johnson of Elkhorn, Nebraska and Edith Reynolds of Pensacola, Florida; 2 sisters-in-law, Sadie Lebbert of Blair, Nebraska and Emma Grau of Omaha; other relatives and many friends.